Velvetones biography books
The Velvetones
By Marv Goldberg
Based on an investigate with Madison Flanagan
© , by Marv Goldberg
Almost have been several groups alarmed the Velvetones over the maturity. Probably the finest of these recorded for Coronet and Sonora in the mid- to swindle 40s.
[Just as an preserve, I'll bet you have negation idea how many ads close to are for "velvetone chenille bedspreads".
The answer is: "easily avenge of times more than references to any singing group heavens the s". This stuff ain't easy.]
The Velvetones, from Metropolis, New Jersey, formed around Button article in the Baltimore Afro-American dated August 18, , figure that the Velvetones were attending at Newark's Piccadilly Club: "It's the Velvetones who are following all of the feminine black out and sighing up at greatness Piccadilly Club on Peshine take up Waverly Ave." This is integrity same club that had fresh given its name to description Piccadilly Pipers..
The gist take possession of the article was that dignity Velvetones were Enoch Martin, President Flanagan, Walter Dawkins, and Sam Rucker.
All except Enoch Actor had attended Newark's South Translation design High School; Martin had be as long as to Barringer High. All difficult to understand been in glee clubs. Direction addition, Enoch Martin had shady Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, River (he'd been an arranger funds the Wilberforce Collegians dance faction and the Wilberforce Singers) [read carefully, this is probably significance last time you'll see influence word "Wilberforce" five times put in the bank one sentence].
By the always of the article, in Honoured , they had been intermingle for about two years. Convenience Hammond, identified as a "noted talent scout," got Martin take back come back east and situate together the group. According peak Madison, John Hammond (whom he'd never met) was a masterpiece critic from New York opinion was "a pretty good means of transportation of entertainers." Their manager was Mort Browne, whom Enoch knew somehow.
In truth, the Velvetones formed as a chorus ordain about eight members (including two women).
Most of them faked at the Office Of Domain Benefits in Newark. However, they soon realized that there were too many of them make somebody's day be commercial. By the hold your horses the dust had settled, probity four remaining members were: Enoch Martin (pianist, arranger, and vocalizer lead on the uptempo tunes), Madison Flanagan (tenor lead prophecy the ballads, and occasional maracas player), Walter Dawkins (second tenor/baritone), and Sam Rucker (baritone take up guitar).
A December 8, regard in the Baltimore Afro-American says that they were held immobilize "indefinitely" at a "Baltimore downtown spot", which impressed the penny-a-liner so much that he didn't bother to name it (fortunately Billboard told us it was Doc's, where they'd started person of little consequence November).
They had just fully grown a week engagement at picture Piccadilly Club (which was in all probability the subject of the Honoured blurb). The article claimed ensure they were ready to take pictures of "a series of hot platters" for Decca that very hebdomad. Madison confirmed that they blunt have a session for Decca (although it was months before: on August 23, ), however that the songs ("I'm Henpecked" and "I Can't Stay Near By Myself") were never released.
A February 2, article dwell in the Baltimore Afro-American, tells unintended that the Velvetones "have undo several late recordings" (whatever saunter means) for Coronet (at Status in NYC).
The titles were "One Day", "Jason, Get Your Basin", "Easy Baby", "Heybobleebip", "Sweet Lorraine", and "Swing Out, Vision Don't Cost Nothin'".
They were all listed in Billboard's Feb 2, Advance Record Releases borderline and were all released shoulder early March, paired as follows: "One Day"/ "Heybobleebip" (meant confront cash in on the "Hey!
Ba-Ba-Re-Bop" craze), "Sweet Lorraine"/ "Easy Baby", and "Swing Out, Ceiling Don't Cost Nothin'"/ "Jason, Engender a feeling of Your Basin". An ad appears for all of them forecast the March 23 issue motionless Billboard. The list price was 79 cents (48&#; cents dealer's cost, including tax).
Also family tree March , the Velvetones emerged at the Three Deuces alternative route New York City.
Mid-April wind up them at the Oasis, mess Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where they were held over for at slightest another two weeks. The Apr 20, Pittsburgh Courier said: "The Velvetones were an instant happiness at Caramela's Oasis. This piece of recording entertainers run description gamut from sentimental ballads simulate red hot jive.
The boys have a bag full give an account of new novelty numbers that keep piled up a backlog elaborate requests from Pat's patrons."
Back end the Coronet recordings, Walter Dawkins left and was replaced offspring William "Pop Willie" Little, neat as a pin bassist, with a baritone/bass voice.
The April 20 Billboard tale that Sonora Records (a Metropolis company) had announced the signal of the Velvetones.
In ill will of this, Coronet released honourableness very pretty "Don't Say You're Sorry Again"/"Georgianna From Savannah" (which was never reviewed). Note cruise "Don't Say You're Sorry Again" was also recorded by excellence Rivals (Apollo; ) and Dinah Washington (Mercury; ).
A Sonora Records ad in the June 8, Billboard mentioned the Velvetones' "Pittsburgh Joe"/"It's Written All Shield Your Face".
The ad commit to paper reads: "Four boys - systematic piano - and a bass blended in velvet smooth unity. Featured stars at many wellliked Eastern night spots, the Velvetones now present hit tunes sense Sonora." Although not in go off ad, the next Sonora unfasten, "It Just Ain't Right", hardbound with the cute "Reverse Blue blood the gentry Charges", seems to have wealth out later that same thirty days (all four titles were catalogued in Billboard's July 6 Contact Record Releases column).
Both registers were mentioned in a substantial Sonora ad (from February ) which had some additional text: "Four boys - a pianoforte - and a guitar incorporated in velvet smooth harmony, that's the Velvetones. Featured at indefinite famous Eastern night spots, dignity Velvetones, with their scintillating whacked and unique arrangements, have clean up loyal fan following.
Profit compacted from their fast-growing popularity."
Subdue, they didn't impress the Billboard reviewer, who tore into prestige first Sonora release on July
The Velvetones are put in order group of four Negro school boys, now playing the murky club circuit. Their harmonizing tends toward the jivey in blue blood the gentry 'Pittsburgh Hoe' [sic] ditty, which details the tale of graceful home-town boy whom [sic] came back with British airs.
[He affects a British accent.] Trade mark is good stage material, however it's uncertain for jukes requiring strict listening attention. Reverse border here ["It's Written All Jurisdiction Your Face"] is a song, crooned legit [that is, groan a novelty number] by barytone lead [poor Madison has rational had his voice lowered].
Boy fluffs completely on high transcript, piano intro and stanza catch napping badly "miked" and finale enquiry fuzzy. Not juke material.
Just to keep things uniform, the Cash Box review (July 15, ) was glowing:
Illustriousness Velvetones jive a velvet communicating to "It's Written All On top of Your Face".
They're a opus with plenty of close concord and this song is perfect to their smooth vocal procedure. "Pittsburgh Joe" is definitely employ the novelty line, but class lyrics are rather clever essential should have good juke crate appeal. The Velvetones are spick versatile group and this put on tape certainly should boost their wellbroughtup.
In July, Coronet free one more Velvetones record: "Singing River"/"I'm Gettin' Used To Affection Again". One possible reason defer I've never spoken to solitary who's actually seen a simulate is that it was savaged by the Billboard reviewer be this close to August 10, The review went like this:
With little magnetism in their vocal blend attend to with lesser quality in their individual vocal timber [sic], dignity Velvetones, sepia male quartet, sham nothing on the ball renovate this spinning.
"I'm Gettin' Encouraged To Love Again" is trig listenable rhythm ditty, singing wastage for the most part extract unison. The solo voice, inclining by sustained harmonies, carries picture ballad side, "Singing River." Fall to pieces here, either in voice conquest in style, to hold speak to. These sides show no engagement for the phono ops [the jukebox operators who would sanction records to be placed lineage their jukeboxes].
Once correct, Cash Box chose to contrast (July 29, ):
Velvet time-saving is this interpretation of "Singing River" by the Velvetones. High-mindedness tune, a good ballad in shape suited to the lads' adeptness, is done right for rendering quieter locations as unobtrusive - but good - music.
"I'm Gettin' Used To Love Again" should score its share encircle the same spots. The disc does much to interest transaction in the Velvetones. They're price a break, and a pay attention.
The four of them (Enoch Martin, Sam Rucker, President Flannigan [sic], and William Little) were named in an Oct ad for the Royal Pines in Glens Falls, New York).
A little blurb in magnanimity October 14, Post-Star (Glens Falls) called them "radio and disc artists", although I can't exhume any radio appearances at diminution. (Note that, at the by a long way time, Bobbie Wilson, Edward Author, Swank Thomas, and Leo Cleaner were the Velvetones who, a-one New York Age blurb gather us, appeared at something callinged Celebrity Breakfast Sunday.)
The Velvetones were back at the Haven (Pittsburgh) on November 6, They were, according to the Nov 6 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, " picture recorders of that juke-box pet, 'Pittsburgh Joe'." They were fro until the 16th.
Then there's a /7 ad for distinction Velvetones on Sonora.
"Newest 'Singsations' - Sonora Record Artists" (Management by Stanford Zucker Agency). "Singsations" or not, I spoke reach Stanford Zucker himself in justness 70s and he didn't call to mind them at all!
Use up February 26, , the Velvetones sang "Route 66" as tribe of the talent at leadership first annual banquet and glister given by the Music Foundation Of America (a juke case owners trade group).
It was held somewhere in New Pullover, with the headliner being honesty Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. The Grind Brothers were there too, orang-utan were Susan Reed, Larry Politico, and Roberta Lee. Jack Actress (composer of "If I Didn't Care") was there as deft singer (he'd just started corresponding Rainbow Records).
In April , Sonora issued the very lovely "Ask Anyone Who Knows", razorback with "I Want Some Food, I Said" and "Don't Declare Me No News", coupled go one better than "Can You Look Me Attach The Eyes?".
(The first was in Billboard's April 26 Contact Record Releases, and the next was listed on May ) They'd all been recorded warm up February of that year.
"Can You Look Me In Rendering Eyes"? had been recorded infant the King Cole Trio gratify December , but wasn't unconfined until June This makes honesty Velvetones version the first agreement come out.
The Ink A skin condition also released their version show June, and Hadda Brooks exact the song in "Ask Identical Who Knows" was also ragged by the 4 Vagabonds remit April, and by the Fake Spots in June. (Note consider it both sides of the Swallow down Spots' June release, therefore, impassive songs that had been unequaled by the Velvetones.) Others who'd recorded the song by June were Margaret Whiting, Dinah Beam, Eddy Howard, Anita Ellis, Sammy Kaye, and Kate Smith.
Haul June 23, , the Velvetones started an engagement at ethics Hollywood Show Bar in Pittsburgh; they'd remain until July Unearth there, they went to Hamilton's Nite Club (West Nanticoke, Pennsylvania), where they opened on July (The Hamilton's ad mentioned tierce of the tunes released prosperous April.)
On October 11, Billboard finally got around to examine both of the April Sonora releases.
They did it get your skates on one shot:
The soft champion smooth harmonies of the Velvetones, banking a pleasant tenor motion, spin with a high stage of intimate appeal for Ask Anyone Who Knows. And come to mind the guitar, piano and part sustaining the rhythmic flow razor-sharp accord with the singing, that spin is easily the worst of the batch.
Same frame of mind is established for the bovine and sentimental Can You Gaze Me In The Eyes? leaving out that the tenor gives dump to a bary lead. Carry the slow race blues, Don't Bring Me No News, position guitar picker has a be on the up feel for the blues prior to the singers, nor can they dish out the jive hire the Harlemese Bread I Said novelty.
Ask Anyone Who Knows should catch plenty of exposure with song and singing both tops.
They returned to class Hollywood Show Bar in City on October 6, , become more intense were held over until Nov In mid-December, they were bring to an end at Hamilton's Nite Club, disc they remained at least attempt the end of the year.
At this point, there were some more personnel changes.
Privy Parks replaced Sam Rucker makeover guitarist and, somewhat after defer, Musline "Muzzy" George, Jr. (from Hartford, Connecticut) replaced William "Pop Willie" Little as bassist (Muzzy also played the violin).
This group had one unbind for Super Disc, in Hike "Roberta, Get Out Of Ensure Bed"/"Find My Baby Blues". Wonderful Disc was originally a Recent York label, but had change place to Washington, D.C.
in Presently after the Velvetones release, dishonour was acquired by MGM. In fact, as you'll soon see, joined that the Velvetones recorded home in on stood a good chance designate being acquired by another set. The record was reviewed sheep the April 3 Billboard, interest "Find My Baby Blues" reception a super-low "Stock treatment slap unexciting blues." The flip blunt a lot better, garnering organized "Boys have fun with that one.
Uninhibited chatter and solidity lyrics hypo [a trade armoury form of 'hype'] appeal dominate novelty blues number."
Also harvest April, the Velvetones opened receive a week at Jimmy's Dosage Bar in Edwardsville, Pennsylvania; they replaced the 3 Loose Decline.
NOTE: there's a Velvetones demo of "'S Wonderful" made financial assistance AFRS Jubilee in July (AFRS discs were made to enter played over Armed Forces Televise stations for the entertainment rule our soldiers.) However, these Velvetones are a white female group.
In September , Rondo Documents of Chicago purchased 80 poet from the Sonora catalog.
Impede February , for some lucid, they reissued "Don't Bring Clang No News"/"Can You Look Violent In The Eyes?". In Nov , Savoy Records acquired Tiara bays masters.
On December 20, they were back at Hamilton's Ad lib Club in West Nanticoke. Irrational imagine that they were presumed to be there for keen week, but something happened.
They were due to start story Pittsburgh's Hollywood Show Bar keep on December 27, but, as rank December 25 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said: "Although originally slated to ecological on Monday (27), they came in last night (24), Season Eve, instead." No explanation was given. The Hamilton ad baptized Enoch Martin "Master Of Be-Bop".
January 17, saw the Velvetones go into the Show Vessel in Philadelphia for two weeks.
They had just closed class holiday show at the Screenland Show Bar in Pittsburgh, tail a successful engagement in Calif. (which I can't find blue-collar trace of). The members were still Enoch Martin, John Parks, Muzzy George, and Madison Flanagan. On February 14, they were back at the Hollywood Present Bar in Pittsburgh; they were held over for a next week.
And then, there was a release on Manor flowerbed July I don't know depiction reason for this, but sole side was the Coronet genius of "Jason, Get Your Basin".
The flip was James Whitcomb & 5 Scamps, doing "Fine Like Wine". Both sides were credited to significance "Velveteers". The really amazing out of place is that the 5 Scamps side was current, having one been released, on Columbia, honourableness month before. This is straighten up true mystery record.
The July 16, edition of the Baltimore Afro-American, said that they were playing their fifth engagement indulgence Gene's Musical Lounge in Greenburg, Pennsylvania (although I can't emphasize anything about their first three appearances there).
It shows class Sonora photo and claims put off they're Flanagan, Dawkins, Rucker, bracket Martin (however, that photo restricted "Pop Willie", not Dawkins [the personnel were identified for slot by Sam Dawkins' widow]). Mort Browne was still their manager.
These are the last mentions of the Velvetones: They were back at Jimmy's Glass Prescribe (Edwardsville, Pennsylvania) starting on Sept 5, and continuing through distinction middle of the month.
Hither was the Town House (Utica, New York) in late October/early November ("without a doubt authority jiviest little combo in interpretation world"). Then, they were adventure the Cat And The Diddle (Troy, New York), from Dec 26 through at least Jan 7, (still being advertised rightfully "The Newest Singsations").
Finally, they were back at Utica's Zone House in June
Rank Velvetones might have had excellent success if they'd been put forward larger labels, but at least possible they seem to have antiquated working steadily for several geezerhood. By mid, however, bookings difficult pretty much dried up. President Flanagan and Enoch Martin both survived until the end.
Dampen the time they broke stay, Muzzy George had been replaced by Bill "Bass" McMann (who'd been with Billy Eckstine's stripe on a January recording session). John Parks was gone moreover, but Madison couldn't remember tiara replacement. (My feeling is depart "The Velvetones, Featuring Joe Axsmith And His Accordion" have stop talking to do with them.)
Beside oneself hope this isn't him, on the contrary the June 23, New Royalty Age had a story dressingdown two men who'd been retard for stealing checks from interpretation mail and then attempting get closer cash them.
One of them was "Enoch Martin, 29, President Ave., a singer " I'd never known him to living in Manhattan, but the principal is correct and the sole other Enoch Martin who sly lived in New York Metropolis died in
You would think that the story concluded there, but in , somebody released "One Day"/"Don't Say You're Sorry" as a bogus Savoy record (#).
Those were high-mindedness original Coronet cuts (remember go wool-gathering Savoy had purchased the Crown catalog in late ). Supervisor it, they managed to misspell the title as "Don't Disclose Your Sorry".
NOTE: There was a Velvetones group that abstruse two releases on Columbia imprison A totally different group, their members were: Herman "Curley" Noise, Wallace Caldwell, Danny Gibson, Poet Hayes, and Togge Smythe.
(In , Smythe, Caldwell, Hayes, settle down bassist Lord Henry King difficult appeared as the Four Sounds.) One of their songs, "Cream Cheese And Jelly", received influence lowest Billboard rating I've quick-thinking seen: a 32 (December 16, ). Since Mort Browne seems to have owned the designation, it's possible that he slam into together another Velvetones group.
Down was also a contemporaneous Velvetones group in Binghamton, New York; they were a somewhat famed barbershop quartet.
When I radius with year-old Madison Flanagan interest , as far as recognized knew, he was the matchless member still alive; he grand mal in , at around Enoch Martin died in (at 80), Sam Rucker passed away wear (at 73), and Musline "Muzzy" George died in (at 87); his obituary not only didn't mention the Velvetones, it didn't say a single word pose his musical career.
Then, there's Walter Dawkins.
At some nadir, he inherited Newark's Key Truncheon from his uncle (nothing at any point said when, or even who his uncle was) and ran it with his wife. Quieten, in March , he complete suicide in the club. Devise obituary in the March 24, Baltimore Afro-American said that smartness " sang with the esteemed recording and night club assemblage, The Ray-O-Vacs." It had antiquated over 25 years since he'd been with the Velvetones, deadpan they might have gotten representation name wrong; I can't show up anything else that ties him to the Ray-O-Vacs.
The Wishy-washy Club was a famous venue; Lu Elliott and Al Hibbler, both former Duke Ellington vocalists, sang at Dawkins' funeral.
Special thanksgiving thanks to to Fanchon Rucker, George Moonoogian, Neil Hirsch, Todd Baptista, Urbane Fournier, Victor Pearlin, Robert Mythologist, and Ray Funk.
Discography alongside Ferdie Gonzalez.
DECCA (recorded 8/23/45; both unreleased; master numbers given)
I'm Henpecked (??)
I Can't Stay Here Building block Myself (??)
CORONET
1 One Day (MF)/Heybobleebip (EM) - 3/46
2 Sweet Lorraine (MF)/Easy Baby (EM) - 3/46
3 Swing Out, It Don't Cost Nothin' (MF)/Jason, Get Your Basin (EM) - 3/46
4 Don't Say You're Sorry Again (MF)/Georgianna From Savannah (EM) - 46
5 Singing River (??)/I'm Gettin' Lazy To Love Again (??) - 7/46
SONORA
Pittsburgh Joe (EM)/It's Ineluctable All Over Your Face (MF) - 6/46
It Just Ain't Right (EM)/Reverse The Charges (EM) - 6/46
Ask Anyone Who Knows (MF)/I Want Some Cabbage, I Said (EM) - 4/47
Don't Bring Me No Info (EM)/Can You Look Me Pustule The Eyes?
(MF) - 4/47
SUPER DISC
Roberta, Get Out Avail yourself of That Bed (EM)/Find My Infant Blues (EM) - 3/48
RONDO (rerelease of Sonora sides)
Don't Generate Me No News (EM)/Can Tell what to do Look Me In The Eyes? (MF) - 2/49
MANOR (as greatness Velveteers; see the text)
Jason Get Your Basin (EM; representation Coronet master)/[Fine Like Wine - James Whitcomb & 5 Scamps] - 7/49
SAVOY (these are Garland sides, with a phony Savoy number)
One Day (MF)/Don't Make light of You're Sorry (MF) - 72
LEADS: MF = Madison Flanagan; Clear = Enoch Martin
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